Kirk Cousins to Jets trade rumors could be complicated after Aaron Rodgers' speed brace procedure
With the Minnesota Vikings off to an 0-2 start and Aaron Rodgers suffering a torn Achilles’ tendon in Week 1, the national media has been frothing at the possibility of Kirk Cousins being traded to the New York Jets.
But an experimental procedure that could accelerate Rodgers’ recovery timeline could seemingly clear the way for Rodgers to return for the playoffs and leave the Vikings with a lame-duck quarterback should the Vikings fail to chalk up some wins fast.
The apparently miraculous possibility was a reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, who say that renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal Attrache performed a "speed bridge" procedure that puts an internal brace on Rodgers’ Achilles.
The report also states that Rodgers could follow the path of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, who received platelet-rich plasma injections under Attrache’s supervision after tearing his Achilles in 2013.
While the report cautions there are no guarantees, the hope is that the procedure would lead to a recovery timetable of four months. This also assumes that the Jets are still in the hunt for a playoff spot by the end of the season, which may be in doubt with Zach Wilson taking over the starting role.
The basis for a Cousins trade is Wilson’s poor performance after being selected with the second overall pick in the 2020 draft. If the Jets believe Rodgers could make a return, there would be no need for Rodgers to push his recovery and no need to seek for an upgrade at the position. If Wilson performs well, the Jets can also bide their time until Rodgers is ready to return.
Such a scenario would put any potential Cousins-to-New York trade on hold – especially since the Vikings quarterback has a full no-trade clause. With the potential of the Vikings also rebounding from an 0-2 start, Cousins is likely to finish out the final year of his contract in Minnesota.
It’s another melodrama for the Vikings, who do not have a plan at quarterback for the 2024 season. If they continue to falter, Cousins could be placed on the market but the possibility he winds up in New York remains a longshot.
